The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 78th meeting held in August 2018:
 
Non-compliance with reporting requirement on changes of directors by Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific Limited and Greenroll Limited
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     The CA decided that Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific Limited (FNGAP), a non-domestic television programme service licensee, and Greenroll Limited, another licensable television programme service licensee, had contravened section 39(3) of the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) by failing to report to the CA changes of their directors within seven days of the changes. The delays in reporting by FNGAP and Greenroll were more than 330 and 270 days respectively. Taking into account the licensees' representations and the duration and severity of the breaches, the CA decided that FNGAP and Greenroll should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provision.
 
Non-compliance with reporting requirement on changes of addresses of registered offices by Ricobem Limited and Gala Hotels Limited
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     The CA decided that Ricobem Limited and Gala Hotels Limited, both being other licensable television programme service licensees, had breached Condition 5 of their licences by failing to promptly notify the CA of changes of the addresses of their registered offices. The time lapse between the effective date of the changes of addresses and the notifications of Ricobem and Gala Hotels to the CA were four years and four years and two months respectively. Taking into account the licensees' representations and the duration and severity of the breaches, the CA decided that Ricobem and Gala Hotels should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provision.
 
Broadcast complaints
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     The CA considered two complaint cases in respect of the broadcasters' non-compliance with the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards (TV Programme Code) and the Generic Code of Practice on Television Advertising Standards (TV Advertising Code):
       
(a) Complaints against the television programmes "News Roundup" and "Late News" broadcast on February 17, 2018, on the Jade Channel and the News Channel of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) respectively. The CA decided that TVB should be warned to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code; and
 
(b) A complaint against the television programme "Change The World" broadcast on January 30, 2018, on the TV 33 Channel of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). The CA decided that RTHK should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provision in the TV Advertising Code.
 
     Details of the above cases are at www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_713/appx_20180828_en.pdf.

     Hongkong Post announced today (August 28) the release of a set of special stamps on the theme of "The Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link", together with associated philatelic products, on September 17 (Monday).
 
     The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) will be commissioned in September this year. Hongkong Post is issuing a set of four special stamps to commemorate this important event. The Hong Kong Section of the XRL is a 26-kilometre full-tunnel dedicated railway running from the terminus in West Kowloon to the boundary at Huanggang. This will greatly shorten the travelling time by rail from Hong Kong to major Mainland cities.
 
     With the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL, Hong Kong will be included in the expanding national high-speed rail network. This will help consolidate Hong Kong's status as a transport hub in the region, strengthening exchange and economic ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and additionally facilitate collaboration and co-development of various trades and industries. Hong Kong is also keeping pace with other sophisticated transport systems around the world and with the global trend of high-speed rail development.
 
     The set of four stamps, symbolising the linkage in the region and showing the vivid colours and smooth lines of the XRL trains, features Guangzhou ($2), Shenzhen ($3.70) and Hong Kong ($4.90 and $5) stamps from left to right. The various motifs representing the cultural characteristics and landmarks of the three cities appear in the relevant sections of the train. The design for the central part of the train forms a pair of linked hands to signify that Hong Kong and the Mainland will join hands to explore new opportunities through closer exchange in economic affairs and other aspects.
 
     Official First Day Covers at $1.30 each will be put on sale at all post offices from September 3. The stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from September 3 to 8.
 
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.

      

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, will visit Qianhai tomorrow afternoon (August 29). He will tour some Hong Kong enterprises and view the latest developments of Qianhai.

     He will also meet with officials of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Qianhai Management Authority to exchange views on matters relating to co-operation between Hong Kong and Qianhai.

     Mr Nip will return to Hong Kong in the evening of the same day.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED) and the Communications Authority (CA) today (August 28) jointly launched a public consultation on the allocation and assignment arrangements of a total of 200 MHz of spectrum in the 3.3 GHz band (3.3 – 3.4 GHz) and the 4.9 GHz band (4.83 – 4.93 GHz) for the provision of public mobile services, and the related spectrum utilisation fee (SUF).
 
     As announced earlier by the CA, 100 MHz of spectrum in the 4.9 GHz band for territory-wide use and 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3.3 GHz band for use in indoor locations will be made available in 2019 for the provision of public mobile services, including fifth generation mobile (5G) services.
 
     "Spectrum in these two frequency bands forms part of the 4 500 MHz of new spectrum which the CA will release in 2019/2020 for supporting the development of 5G services.
 
     "The 4.9 GHz band has the advantage of being able to support deployment of 5G services in any locations in Hong Kong, whereas the 3.3 GHz band can be used for enhancing 5G indoor coverage in conjunction with spectrum in other frequency bands," a spokesman for the CA said.
 
     As there are likely to be competing demands for the spectrum in the 3.3 GHz and 4.9 GHz bands, the CA proposes to assign the spectrum by way of auction. Separate auctions will be held for the two frequency bands.
 
     As for the related SUF, similar to other spectrum assigned for public mobile services where there are competing demands, it is proposed that the use of the spectrum in the 3.3 GHz and 4.9 GHz bands should be subject to payment of SUF that reflects the full market value of the spectrum. The SUF should be determined by auction and the auction reserve prices will be set by the SCED nearer the time.
 
     "The auctioning of spectrum will ensure that such scarce public resource be put into the hands of those who value it most and who will consequently put it to the most efficient use, to the benefit of the public at large," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) said.
 
     "The SCED further proposes that spectrum assignees be given a choice to pay the SUF either by lump sum payment upfront or annual instalments so as to afford them a greater financial flexibility," the spokesman added.
 
     Views and comments from the industry and other interested parties are welcome on or before September 26, 2018. After taking into account the views and comments received in response to the public consultation, the SCED and the CA target to make their respective decisions around the end of 2018. The spectrum auctions for the 3.3 GHz and 4.9 GHz bands are planned to take place around mid-2019.
 
     The consultation paper can be downloaded from the websites of CEDB (www.cedb.gov.hk/ccib/eng/paper/pdf/cp20180828_e.pdf) and the CA (www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_711/cp20180828_e.pdf).

The following press release is issued on behalf of the Independent Commission Against Corruption:
 
Yuen Long DC member charged with $147,000 salary payments fraud
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     A member of the Yuen Long District Council (DC) has been charged by the ICAC today (August 28) with defrauding the Home Affairs Department (HAD) of reimbursement of his part-time assistant's salary payments totalling $147,000.
      
     Man Kwong-ming, 56, faces one count of fraud, contrary to Section 16A of the Theft Ordinance.
      
     The defendant will appear in the Tuen Mun Magistracy on Thursday (August 30) for plea.
      
     The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above alleged offence.
      
     At the material time, the defendant was a member of the Yuen Long DC. He was entitled to apply for reimbursement of operating expenses incurred from employing staff members to assist him in running his ward office.
      
     The charge alleges that between February 28, 2012 and June 29, 2016, the defendant dishonestly and falsely represented that a man was employed by him as a part-time assistant between January 1, 2012 and January 31, 2016; submitted to the HAD operating expenses reimbursement applications to evidence that he had paid a monthly salary to the man in the sum of $3,000 each month during that period; and with intent to defraud, induced staff members of the HAD to process and effect payments to him of a total sum of $147,000 as reimbursement of the operating expenses, which resulted in benefit to him or prejudice to the Government.
      
     The HAD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
      
     The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance on Thursday.